Photos: Atlanta Falcons vs Green Bay Packers 2017: First game

Sports

Photos: The scene at the Falcons’ home opener

There was plenty to see outside and inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the Falcons played the Packers Sunday night.

September 17, 2017 Atlanta: Colton Holder, Snellville, waves his cap beneath the open roof of Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the Falcons prepare to play the Packers in a NFL football game on Sunday, September 17, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Atlanta Falcons fan Mike Castellana, left, poses for a photo with Green Bay Packers fans Kelly Maloney, center, and Lindsay Robdrup before an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Atlanta. BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL

9/17/17 - Atlanta, GA - Atlanta Falcons players enter the field for pregame warmups. Atlanta Falcons vs Green Bay Packers. The Falcons opened the roof for the Falcons season opener at Mecedes-Benz Stadium. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Fans gather outside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium before an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Atlanta. BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL

A man plays corn hole outside of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium before an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Atlanta. BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL

Atlanta Falcons fan Jack McGinnis gets his face painted before an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Atlanta. BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL

Brannu Fulton rides his horse outside of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium before an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Atlanta. BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL

A Green Bay Packers fan walks outside of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium before an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Atlanta. BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL

Fans gather outside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium before an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Atlanta. BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL

A man throws a football outside of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium before an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Atlanta. BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL

Green Bay Packers fans Fred Jones, left, and Sherrea Jones take a selfie in front of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium before an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Atlanta. BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL

A Green Bay Packers fan waits outside of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium before an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Atlanta. BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL

Fans arrive at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium before an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Atlanta. BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL

9/17/17 - Atlanta, GA - Arthur Blank hugs his step daughter, Emily Mcuga, who was with Atlanta United's Josef Martinez (right) during pregame warmups. Atlanta Falcons vs Green Bay Packers. The Falcons opened the roof for the Falcons season opener at Mecedes-Benz Stadium. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/17/17 - Atlanta, GA - Governor Nathan Deal and his wife, Sandra, depart the field ahead of Arthur Blank and Frank Poe after the ribbon cutting on the field. Atlanta Falcons vs Green Bay Packers. The Falcons opened the roof for the Falcons season opener at Mecedes-Benz Stadium. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

September 17, 2017 Atlanta: Green Bay fan Lee Shell, Hickory, N.C., and Atlanta Falcons fan Travis Braun, Flowery Branch, arrive for the Falcons home opener against the Packers in a NFL football game on Sunday, September 17, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

9/17/17 - Atlanta, GA - Arthur Blank cuts the ribbon for the Falcons opener, with Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Gov. Nathan Deal. Atlanta Falcons vs Green Bay Packers. The Falcons opened the roof for the Falcons season opener at Mecedes-Benz Stadium. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

9/17/17 - Atlanta, GA - Players take the field pre-game. Atlanta Falcons vs Green Bay Packers. The Falcons opened the roof for the Falcons season opener at Mecedes-Benz Stadium. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

September 17, 2017 Atlanta: Ben Mathis snaps a photo of the open roof at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the Falcons prepare to play the Packers in a NFL football game on Sunday, September 17, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 17, 2017 Atlanta: Sonia Faircloth and Damian Benko, Atlanta, salute their home team as the Falcons prepare to play the Packers in a NFL football game on Sunday, September 17, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

9/17/17 - Atlanta, GA - Atlanta Falcons vs Green Bay Packers. The Falcons opened the roof for the Falcons season opener at Mecedes-Benz Stadium. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

September 17, 2017 Atlanta: Packers fans Dallas Pennington (from left), Seth White, and Dillon Byrd sport green for their team as the Falcons prepare to play the Packers in a NFL football game on Sunday, September 17, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 17, 2017 Atlanta: Packers fans Dallas Pennington (from left), Seth White, and Dillon Byrd sport green for their team as the Falcons prepare to play the Packers in a NFL football game on Sunday, September 17, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 17, 2017 Atlanta: Julio Jones and the Falcons take the field as they prepare to play the Packers in a NFL football game on Sunday, September 17, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 17, 2017 Atlanta: Matt Williams, Atlanta, and his sister Leanne Ganes, Denver, have opposite allegiances as the Falcons prepare to play the Packers in a NFL football game on Sunday, September 17, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

1/25

September 17, 2017 Atlanta: Colton Holder, Snellville, waves his cap beneath the open roof of Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the Falcons prepare to play the Packers in a NFL football game on Sunday, September 17, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Today's Gallery Headlines

Turning Point UGA

PHOTOS: Vice president comes to Athens for Turning Point

guidestones podcast gallery

PHOTOS: On the road with the "Who Blew Up the Guidestones?" podcast

Midtown Green rendering

PHOTOS: Renderings of Midtown Green, a planned Atlanta urban park

Mayor State of City

AJC photos of the month for March

More Galleries

aajc 041126 Masters Round 2 Friday

PHOTOS: Masters 2026 Round 2

aajc 041026 Masters Round 1 Thur

PHOTOS: Masters 2026 tournament starts

Masters Par 3 contest

PHOTOS: Masters Par 3 Contest brings player's families to Augusta National

Masters practice round Tuesday

PHOTOS: Masters Practice Rounds continue